In early 2001 the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) announced a program to certify the Phase II technology solutions of wireless carriers. In June 2001 the association issued a brochure outlining the program, including the information described here. updated 7-11-2001

Background

"By 2005 some 100 million 9-1-1 wireless 9-1-1 calls will be placed to the Nation's public safety answering PSAPs. The need to capture accurate location information, consistent with that provided by current E911 system, is well documented.

"The wireless telephone industry has responded by offering a number of technologies and systems that address these requirements. These technologies can be integrated in different combinations, but all with the objective of providing an end-to-end solution.

"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in response to increasing demands for improvement in the delivery of emergency services to wireless telephone subscribers, has mandated that wireless communications services implement the technology necessary accurately located wireless 9-1-1 callers. The FCC promulgated standards set forth in FCC Docket 94-102 and further specified the time frame within which location technology must be made available.

The Problem

"Multiple location technologies have been developed or adapted to provide location information. Even though FCC standards call for well-defined field tests and suggests the manner in which these tests will be performed, there is no recognized methodology in which to provide that the system is performing according to the standards. An improved level of public safety cannot, however, be achieved in the absence of objective, empirical proof that the various location technologies deployed by the wireless carriers are in fact performing according to the standards.

Key Features & Benefits

"The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Wireless 9-1-1 Location Certification program is predicated on the need to provide objective proof of performance testing of these location systems in a real-world environment. The program, based on the FCC Docket 94-102 standards for Phase II compliance, is intended to ascertain:

• location of the wireless call within the required parameters
• Correct routing of the wireless call to the designated PSAP
• accurate transmission of relevant location and other calling data to the PSAP

"RCC Consultants, Inc. will serve as the technical support arm of NENA for the certification process. RCC will provide technical services related to setting up fundamental program processes and discrete tests, conducting field trials, analyzing measurements and reporting its findings to NENA."

The following graphic, adapted from NENA materials, shows the steps in their Phase II certification process: